Jon Armstrong will ride through the pain barrier to help injury-hit Mildenhall as they open their Knockout Cup campaign and look to extend their National League winning form.

The KJM/Manchetts Fen Tigers captain broke a rib after getting caught in the crossfire of team-mate Luke Ruddick’s crash in the win at Buxton last Sunday, but the veteran still carried on and went on to win his next race.

Ruddick is out for several weeks due to having a skin graft on his arm burns, joining Sam Woods on the sidelines, but Armstrong has declared his intent to ride at Stoke tonight in the Knockout Cup quarter final, first leg, and in tomorrow’s home league clash against Isle of Wight.

Promoter Kevin Jolly said: “Jon is up for it and says it will a good test for his fitness. He’s old school, he just picks himself up and carries on.”

Mildenhall also welcome the return of Jordan Jenkins from his school exams – a major boost for the club as the 15-year-old has risen from reserve to heat leader in just two months.

Jolly continued: “It was another really good team performance at Buxton. "

We’ve gained confidence from our seven home wins and are now picking up away wins, where we couldn’t buy one last year.

“We’ve had our knocks with Sam and now Luke, but they’ve all pulled together and it’s worked.

"I feel for Luke as he was finding his form, but hopefully he’ll bounce back to where he was.

“We need to keep it tight at Stoke for the home leg on July 9.

"Isle of Wight have strengthened with Connor Coles coming in and he’ll be wanting to put in a good performance, so we have treat them with the respect we have given everyone as anyone can beat anyone in this league.”